Have you ever seen something you just couldn’t believe? I don’t mean an amazing sports play–I mean have you seen something that caused you to rub your eyes and wonder if you really saw what you thought you saw?
I venture to guess that most of us have not seen anything quite like that. We see amazing feats of athleticism. We see amazing sunrises or sunsets. We see awesome beauty in nature. We see awe inspiring views of mountains and oceans. But most of us never see something we believe to be impossible happen.
We see in today’s passage Elijah being taken to heaven on a chariot of fire by horses of fire. Can you imagine Elisha as he saw this happen? Elijah was Elisha’s mentor, teacher, and even like a father to him. Elisha was doing all he could to follow in Elijah’s footsteps. Elijah had told Elisha to stay behind, but Elisha refused to leave his side. Elijah knew what was going to happen. Even fifty prophets knew Elijah was going to be taken from Elisha that day. However, I don’t think any of them knew just exactly how that was going to happen.
Of course, the prophets, Elijah, and Elisha all knew God was able to take Elijah in any manner He wanted. They had a deep faith in God and believed there was nothing out of His control. I long for that kind of faith myself. How about you?
As we step out in faith and experience God working in our lives, our faith grows. I know from personal experience. I have taken the tentative step into the unknown. I’ve hesitantly moved in a direction I believed God wanted me to go. I’ve experienced the stomach wrenching feeling of wondering if it was the right decision. And I’ve seen God working in my life through those decisions.
I cannot say that I’ve seen chariots and horses of fire. I cannot even say I’ve seen anything I would consider miraculous. I can say I have seen God work in my life and in the lives of others. He has done so one step at a time and in small ways that add up to big changes.
Most of us won’t see a miraculous event. We can and will see God working in our lives as we trust Him with our decisions. God wants us to trust Him, take the next step, then take the next step. He often only lights the path one step at a time. Trust Him, see Him work, and increase your faith.
I pray we all step out in faith through prayerful consideration. I pray we trust God to lead us. I pray each one of us see God working and experience our faith growing. Trust God. See Him working in your life. Step out in faith. Consider decisions prayerfully. Increase your faith through experience with God.
2 Kings 2:11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
Marty Pressey 